Pensions through the lens of the farmer in Ireland

Within the realm of social security and pension coverage, the self-employed community are a distinct cohort and within the self-employed, farmers are a further discreet sub-set. This paper set out to specifically examine the extent and nature of pension coverage within the farming community in Ireland, the attitudes of farmers towards private pension provision, and what farmers expect their primary source of income will be post-retirement. We find that the multi-pillar pension structure architecture is particularly appropriate and necessary given the diversity of incomes across farm systems. Notwithstanding this, our research suggests that not all farmers at lower income levels have the expectation of the State pension on retirement and not all farmers who could afford a supplementary pension have the confidence in the pensions system to make that commitment. • Within the social security and pension system, the self-employed community are a distinct cohort, of which farmers are a further discreet sub-set. • The multi-pillar pension structure in Ireland is necessary given the diversity of incomes across farm systems. • Not all farmers at lower income levels have the expectation of the State pension on retirement. • Not all farmers who could afford a supplementary pension have the confidence in the pensions system to make that commitment